Religion News Briefs

Graham’s new book expected to be last

NEW YORK — Billy Graham has released what is expected to be his last book.

The 96-year-old evangelist’s latest book is called Where I Am: Heaven, Eternity, and Our Life Beyond.

The title echoes what Jesus told his apostles: “I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also.” The book surveys Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, showing how each book of the Bible presents people with choices that will ultimately lead them to heaven or hell.

The Rev. Franklin Graham says the book took about two years to complete, and his father doesn’t have the energy to take on any more projects.

Franklin Graham says his father has trouble seeing, hearing and walking, but his mind is still clear and he keeps up with world events.

— The Associated Press

Mormon museum adds polygamy exhibit

SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon church’s renovated history museum, which reopened Wednesday, features a small and surprising display about an uncomfortable part of the faith’s history that for generations has been glossed over: polygamy.

The display — tucked inside a revamped Church History Museum — tells the story of how the church was founded and formed in the eastern United States from 1820-1846 before Mormons trekked across the country to settle in Utah.

Religious scholars say the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ decision to include information about the early days of polygamy marks the latest illustration of the religion’s push for transparency over secrecy.

Mainstream Mormons no longer practice polygamy. Church leaders outlawed the practice in 1890.

The new polygamy exhibit features Smith’s handwritten account of a revelation he received from God to practice polygamy. It has never been displayed before, museum director Alan Johnson said.

— The Associated Press

Jewish branch lifts ordainment restriction

PHILADELPHIA — Judaism’s Reconstructionist movement has decided to ordain rabbis with non-Jewish partners.

The announcement Wednesday by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in suburban Philadelphia comes after years of debate.

Faculty voted last week to revoke a ban on admitting or graduating students with a non-Jewish partner. The college graduates eight to 10 rabbis per year.

College President Deborah Waxman says the move will help promote and preserve the faith. She says the old policy forced out students who would have made “wonderful rabbis.”

About 60 percent of Jews who married between 2000 and 2013 had a non-Jewish spouse, according to the Pew Research Center.

— The Associated Press

2 Arizona church fires confirmed to be arson

DOLAN SPRINGS, Ariz. — Authorities say fires that heavily damaged or destroyed two churches across the street from each other in northwestern Arizona were intentionally set.

Mohave County sheriff’s detectives are investigating the arsons that were set Sept. 26 at Mount Tipton Community Church and Dolan Springs Baptist Church.

No one was inside the churches in Dolan Springs when the fires started, and no injuries were reported.

Pastor Chris Zeller said the fire destroyed 35 percent of the Baptist church and heavily damaged the rest of the building. The Mount Tipton church was destroyed.

— The Associated Press

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